Analysis of observers' responses to the Rogers, Perls, and Ellis films

Transcripts of filmed interviews by Rogers, Ellis, and Perls were classified as to verbal response categories proposed by Goodman and Dooley. Later the films were shown to 80 college undergraduates who filled out semantic differential scales at various points during the films. The three filmed therapists were rated significantly differently on the semantic differential categories of competence, benevolence, client's feelings, and therapeutic atmosphere. Each filmed therapist used significantly different patterns of verbal interaction. Stepwise regressions were calculated to determine the categories of verbal response which would account for the ratings of the undergraduate observers.